NEVBD

POSITION: District Manager, Clark County (WA) Mosquito Control District

DESCRIPTION: The focus of this position is to plan and oversee the successful execution of the mosquito abatement program for Clark County. This position serves as the Clark County Mosquito Control District administrator, coordinating and implementing a comprehensive field study surveillance program of local mosquito population dynamics and ecology to identify known and potential arbovirus disease vectors and use the findings to advance the effectiveness of the abatement program. Knowledge should also be shared with the public via educational outreach such as advising property owners regarding reduction of mosquito habitat and providing public information about personal protective measures. Starting salary $81,000 - $90,000 annually.

The full job description is available at the Clark County Mosquito Control District website.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Science degree, preferably in biology, entomology, environmental science, public health, or closely related field. Minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a supervisor or lead in a vector control program. Hold or be able to obtain a Public Operator license in the Public Health Pest Control category from the Washington Department of Agriculture. Any equivalent combination of education and experience providing adequate background and preparation for the position will be considered.

HOW TO APPLY/DEADLINE: Evaluation of applications begins April 24, 2020. Applicants must send a letter by email applying for this position, including cover letter, resume, and professional references. Applications should be emailed to john.jacobson@clark.wa.gov. Visit the Clark County Mosquito Control District website for additional application instructions.

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POSITION: Field and Shop Technician, North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, Illinois

DESCRIPTION: Under the general direction of the Operations Manager and assigned supervision of the GIS Manager/Field Supervisor, the full-time Field and Shop Technician performs regular inspections for larval mosquitoes in both peri-domestic and floodwater habitat, as well as, regularly conducts larval control treatments utilizing a variety of application equipment and materials. The full-time field and shop technician also performs a critical role in auditing and editing maps of larval habitats for accuracy and managing a regimen of quality control back-checks on treated habitats. This position may include paid overtime hours conducting nighttime ULV adult mosquito control treatments as necessary. This position requires significant interaction with residents of the District and may include other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum qualifications include Associate’s degree. Bachelor degree preferred. Ability to pass the Illinois Applicator and Operator licensning exam for mosquito control within 90 days of hire.

HOW TO APPLY/DEADLINE: Download and complete the NSMAD employement application to apply. Also send resume or CV via email to mclifton@nsmad.com or NSMAD, Attention Seasonal Employment, 117 Northfield Rd., Northfield, IL 60093.

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POSITION: Associate or Full Professor of Empire Innovation, Center for Environmental Health & Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University

DESCRIPTION: SUNY Upstate Medical University (UMU), in collaboration with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), seeks two internationally recognized experts in vector-borne diseases and infectious disease ecology, broadly defined, to apply for an Associate or Full Professor of Empire Innovation position (Commensurate of the experience of the Empire Innovation Program (EIP) faculty per decision of campus leadership) as part of the New York State Empire Innovation Scholar Program. The program and position aims to expand the ranks of world-class faculty within the SUNY system. EIP positions are highly prized and very competitive; as such, EIP faculty enjoy special distinction within the SUNY system and are largely free of teaching responsibilities in order to accelerate their research.

The successful candidates will join a growing team of collaborative and interdisciplinary researchers in Central New York in the expansion of a new Center for Environmental Health and Medicine, a SUNY-funded collaboration between ESF and UMU organizationally within the UMU Institute for Global Health and Translational Sciences (IGHTS). Utilizing the expertise of the successful candidate the Center will be able to leverage the robust facilities, faculty expertise, and platforms for research on a local and global scale to address the greatest challenges to environmental and human health. Linking local and global surveillance and research efforts will provide a unique opportunity for students, fellows and faculty. More information about the Center can be found by visiting the SUNY CEHM website.

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate should have an established research program focused on the complex relationship between the environment and human health, currently funded through competitive extramural sources that are R01 or R01-equivalent.

HOW TO APPLY/DEADLINE: Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and statement of research interests to eisearch@upstate.edu. References will be requested if you are selected as a finalist. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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POSITION: Summer Research Assistants, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Departments of Entomology and Environmental Sciences, and the Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases are seeking multiple paid summer research assistant positions for the 2020 summer field season to work on the following projects:

• Tick Testing Laboratory: Seeking three summer research assistants to assist in testing ticks submitted through the Connecticut passive tick surveillance program for Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens. Positions available from April 11 to September 30, 2020.

• Department of Entomology Summer Research: Seeking eight summer research assistants to work on projects related to tick management, pollinator, forest health, and invasive insect research and survey. Positions available from early to mid-May to October 31, 2020.

• Mosquito Research and Surveillance Programs on West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus: Seeking 13 summer research assistants to work on mosquito virus testing (BSL3 laboratory), mosquito identification, and mosquito trapping and surveillance in the field. Positions available from May 1 to October 31, 2020.

Full postings for these positions, including information on salary and how to apply, are available on the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Stations Job Opportunities Board.

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POSITION: Summer Internship, Reservoir-Targeted Transmission Blocking Lyme Vaccine Project

RESEARCH: The Petersen Lab at the University of Iowa is seeking 4 to 5 summer interns to conduct field work for a research project assessing the efficacy of a commercial-grade reservoir-targeted transmission blocking vaccine (TBD) in reducing the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in the tick vector, and how it affects clinical disease in dogs. This is a five-year field study.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Project interns will work in Lyme-endemic areas of northern and western Maryland. Interns will conduct live-trapping and sampling of mice, and place oral bait vaccine for mice and other small mammals to eat.

QUALIFICATIONS: A strong work ethic, positive attitude, and limited allergies to pollen and dogs or horses (trapping areas will be adjacent to horse pastures and fields). Experience with mouse-handling and fieldwork is helpful, but not required. There is also a potential for work with dogs.

EMPLOYMENT: Employment to begin as early as April 2020, but can be as late as mid-May 2020; to run through August 2020, with flexibility to meet academic calendars. Housing and a vehicle for field use will be provided.

Interested applicants should send a CV, cover letter, and names of three references to Dr. Christine Petersen.

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POSITION: Disease Ecology Project Assistants, “The Tick Project” (up to 12)

RESEARCH: The Tick Project is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind research program to design and test a tick-control strategy for preventing human cases of tick-borne disease. The study is conducted at the scale of entire residential neighborhoods within the Lyme-disease endemic zone of the northeastern United States. The study emphasizes principles of disease ecology in the context of disease prevention.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Project Assistants are needed to study the effects of tick management interventions on the abundance and distribution of blacklegged ticks and risk of tick-borne disease in people. Location is the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York’s Hudson River Valley, with travel to sites throughout Dutchess County, New York. Duties include sampling, collecting, and identifying ticks from residential neighborhoods, live-trapping small mammals, along with gathering and entering data on tick encounters with local residents.

QUALIFICATIONS: Meticulous attention to detail and experience in field ecology is required. Prior experience with tick sampling or handling small mammals is highly desirable. The ability to work in small teams and to withstand hot and humid field conditions is essential.

EMPLOYMENT: Employment to begin between April 13 and May 15, with an end date of approximately September 11, 2020 with the possibility of extension.

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Center of Excellence Tick Workshop 2020

The U. S. National Tick Collection at the James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute for Coastal Plain Science (Georgia Southern University) and the CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases are offering the “3rd Annual Tick Workshop” at Georgia Southern (Statesboro, GA) on May 17-30, 2020. Topics covered include:

• Tick systematics, identification, classification, population genetics, phylogeography (morphological and molecular taxonomy).
• Visit of the U.S. National Tick Collection
• Tick ecology, behavior
• Field collecting experience
• Tick anatomy, physiology
• Tick surveillance methods
• Spatial modeling of distribution
• Tick control
• Tick-Borne diseases: bacterial (Lyme, rickettioses, anaplasmoses, ehrlichioses), viral, and protozoic, including, clinical aspects, diagnosis, microbiology, ecoepidemiology.

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Vector Control for Environmental Health Professionals (VCEHP)

A no-cost 11-course learning series developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and partners. Program emphasized the use of integrated pest management (IPM) to address public health pests and vectors that spread disease.

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American Mosquito Control Association e-Modules

The e-modules cover basic mosquito biology, surveillance and control with an emphasis on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

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Entomological Society of America Certification Programs

The Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation offers two certification programs for professionals who work with insects:

• Board Certified Entomologist - program for professional entomologists with degrees in entomology or a closely-related field
• Associate Certified Entomologist - program for pest management professionals with strong training and experience in insect-related work, but without academic training required of professional entomologists

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Certification in Public Health Entomology

The Midwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (MCE-VBD) is offering a certificate in Public Health Entomology to recognize and provide basic skills related to the surveillance and management of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases. The certification process is open to anyone affiliated with MCE-VBD partner organizations with interest in developing skills in vector-borne disease surveillance and control.

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Mosquito Training Course for Pest Managers

The Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, along with partners in the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is pleased to announce a new online course in mosquito training for pest managers. Participants who complete the 11 modules in the course will learn to identify and understand the mosquitoes of major importance in the urban environment, their life cycles, the general methods of control, personal protective equipment required for safe insecticide application, and the laws and regulations governing mosquito control for the urban pest management industry.

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